Homeless Dead in Santa Cruz County 2020

I count 78 human beings who were unhoused who died this year. How many could have been saved if they had a roof over their heads and a warm place to sleep? How many more will die of neglect, abuse, willful ignorance, and financial misuse of the public (federal and state) allocated funds supposedly to provide homes. Money spent on tents is not a home. Santa Cruz punishes the poor and destitute by attacking the most vulnerable people by disbanding encampments without providing adequate alternatives. Those in power talk of compassion but give nothing of sustainable substance to so many. A few fortunate individuals here and there receive social support. Still, so many are ignored or hounded by government enforcers. Their sleep disturbed, their belongings confiscated, ticketed, or arrested for being a nuisance. Why? Because they do not have a home. Winter is ravaging. Is there no sense of decency in government locally or state or federal?

"Let the dead bury their dead."